Using Amex in Spain: What you need to know

Jetting off to sunny Spain from the UK? Whether you’re heading there for a holiday, work, study or perhaps a permanent move, you’ll need to find the best way to spend in euros.

You may prefer the convenience of spending using a credit card, especially if you have an American Express card that comes with travel perks like air miles or airport lounge access.

But does Amex work in Spain? Read on for everything you need to know about using your UK-issued American Express card in Spain. This includes places Amex is and isn’t accepted, along with fees and exchange rates.

If you prefer to spend with a debit card when you’re travelling, we’ll also show you a great alternative, the Wise card. It’s not a credit card but an international debit card linked to your Wise account, which you can use for spending in Spain, Europe and 150+ countries worldwide for low fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Discover the Wise card

Can I use Amex in Spain?

Yes, you can use your American Express card in Spain. However, you should know that it’s nowhere near as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.

You should be able to use your Amex in:¹

• Supermarkets like Cash Fresh and MAS
• Fine dining restaurants in major cities, as well as high street brands like Five Guys
• Hotels and luxury accommodation
• Higher end outlets and some department stores
• Cinesa cinemas.
• Some public transport, including Renfe trains² and Alsa buses.³

But otherwise, you’ll need to check for the American Express symbol at checkout, wherever you’re shopping. The provider also has a searchable map here.

Amex fees, exchange rates & currency conversion in Spain

Before using any UK-issued card abroad, it’s important to check out the fees. It’s especially crucial for credit cards.

Some cards charge non-sterling transaction fees for spending in other currencies, along with charges for overseas cash withdrawals.

Let’s take a look at what you’ll pay to use your Amex card in Spain.

Foreign transaction fees

Amex charges the following to use its credit cards overseas:⁴

It’s also worth bearing in mind that when you use a credit card to withdraw cash, interest may start accruing right away, regardless of any interest-free period you may have on purchases.

Exchange rates used by Amex

American Express uses its own exchange rates when converting currency, called the American Express Exchange Rate.

You may be able to check this rate before making a purchase, by looking in the American Express app if you have it. You can also sign into your online account, and use the Foreign Transaction Calculator.

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

When you use your Amex credit card at a store or ATM overseas, you may be asked whether you want the transaction carried out in your home currency (GBP) or the local currency (in this case, EUR).

This service is known as dynamic currency conversion (DCC). It may seem convenient and helpful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the foreign currency.

But what it actually does is give the vendor, payment processor or ATM permission to set their own exchange rate for the transaction. This is often marked up above the mid-market exchange rate, which essentially means you get charged a hidden fee for your withdrawal.

So the golden rule is - always choose to carry out transactions in the local currency. If you do this with Amex, its own exchange rate will be used - and this is likely to be better than what you get with DCC.

How to minimise fees

No one wants to spend more than they need to when enjoying an overseas holiday. To help you minimise fees and save money, follow these tips when using your Amex in Spain:

• Avoid cash withdrawals with a credit card unless absolutely necessary. The fees with Amex are quite high for using overseas ATMs, and the interest is likely to start accruing right away.
• Use fee-free ATMs if you can - otherwise, you’ll find an ATM operator fee added on top of the American Express fees.
• Always pay in the local currency - this ensures you get a better exchange rate and avoid expensive hidden fees.

As Amex isn’t accepted everywhere in Spain - and considering its high fees for cash withdrawals - it could be sensible to look at alternative travel cards, at least as a backup.

The Wise card is tailor-made for overseas travel, letting you spend in 150+ countries for low fees* and at mid-market exchange rates. Even better, you can make 2 withdrawals of up to and including 200 GBP each month for free per account. After that, there is a charge of 0.5 GBP per withdrawal. There’s a 1.75% fee on any amount you withdraw above 200 GBP.

Tips for using your Amex card in Spain

To help you get the most from using your Amex card in Spain, bear these handy tips in mind:

• Not sure if Amex is accepted? Always check for the Amex symbol or ask the vendor.
• Consider carrying an alternative Visa/Mastercard or some cash with you, for places which don’t take Amex
• Download the Amex app before you travel, as it lets you freeze your card if you lose it or get help from customer services.
• Update your contact details with Amex before you travel - so that the fraud prevention team can get in touch if they’re concerned about any transactions
• Always pay in the local currency (euros in Spain) to minimise fees.

Travelling to Spain? Pack the Wise card to use alongside Amex, for low-cost currency conversion and spending

You should now have a better idea of where you can and can’t use your Amex in Spain, and how much it'll cost you. Just remember our handy tips for saving money, including paying in the local currency and avoiding cash withdrawals where possible.

But remember that there are many great travel-friendly alternatives out there, such as the Wise card.

One option is the Wise card, a contactless international card for spending worldwide in 40+ currencies for low fees* and mid-market exchange rates. You can use it anywhere that Visa/Mastercard are accepted, including shops, restaurants, hotels and public transport.

You can also withdraw up to £200 a month from overseas ATMs fee-free (max. 2 withdrawals) - you’ll just need to watch out for ATM operator fees.

And for added security, why not create a Wise virtual card? It lives on your phone, has different details to your physical card and works seamlessly with mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

You can manage all your Wise cards on the go using the handy Wise app. Convert between currencies when you need to, tap to freeze your card if you lose it, and even send money to friends to cover your share of the bill.

Open a Wise account online and get your own Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7, with no monthly or subscription fees to worry about.

FAQs about using Amex in Spain

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about using Amex in Spain:

Is Amex a good card to use in Europe?

You can use your American Express card across Europe, although how widely accepted it is (especially compared to Visa and Mastercard) can vary between countries.

You can use the Amex map to find places which accept it in the country you’re travelling to. It could be worth having another card or some cash as a backup.

Do taxis in Spain take Amex?

Some taxi companies in Spain may take debit or credit cards instead of cash, but it’s unlikely that many will accept American Express. It’s also a good idea to have some euros in cash with you, just in case the taxi’s card machine isn’t working.

Is it better to use credit cards or cash in Spain?

Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in Spain, especially in the bigger towns and cities.

But it could still be sensible to take a mix of cash and cards to Spain, especially if you’re visiting rural/remote parts of the country. You may also need a few euros in cash for tips, street food vendors or markets/fairs.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 18-Feb-2025